Coin-controlled vending apparatus



March 17, 1931. w, s RUNNELS 1,796,964

COIN CONTROLLED VENDING AFPARATUS Filed Feb. 28, 1929 2 Sheefcs-Sheet 1 INIEA'TOR Walter c}. Fame/J March 17, 1931. w. s. RUNNELS COIN CONTROLLED VENDING APPARATUS Filed Fb. 28. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l gwmiw Patented Mar. 17, 1931 WALTER S. RUNNELS, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN COIN-CONTROLLED VENDING APPARATUS Application filed February 28, 1929. Serial No. 343,492.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a coin controlled mechanism for vending machines and other coin controlled apparatus which is effective in detecting and rejecting slugs and improper details and economies of my invention will definitely appear from the description to follow. claims.

A structure which embodies the features of v my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a vending machine embodying the features ofmy invention.

Fig. 2 is a detail view partially in vertical central section.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary inside view of the front wall of the main coin chute, the path of the coins being indicated by dotted lines.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on lines 4-4 of Figs. 1, 2, and 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical section on line 55 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in section on line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary section on line 7-7 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section on line 88 of Fig. 3.

In the accompanying drawing I have illustrated my improvements as embodied by me in a vending machine. It will be understood that my improvements are adapted for use in coin controlled musical instruments and in various other relations. In this specification and claims I use the term coin but it will'be understood that I am using this term broadly to cover checks or the like.

The structure illustrated comprises a casing designated generally by the numeral 1 and provided with magazines 2 for the merchandise. The coin controlled merchandise e ecting mechanism is designated generally by the The invention is defined in the numeral 4. This mechanism is preferably that shown in my copending application, and as it is described in detail therein and forms no part of this invention, it is not further described herein.

The front wall 5 is adapted to serve as an outer wall for a relatively wide thin coin chute 6 the inner wall 7 of which is of sheet metal and secured to the inner side of the outer wall. The outer wall is provided with a coin receiving or introducing opening 8 through which coins indicated at 9 may be introduced.

This outer wall is also provided with a transversely disposed rib-like member 10 constituting a sorting way bottom. At the end of this member I pivot a magnet 11, the pivot being shown at 12. The magnet constitutes a part of the sorting way bottom and is, in efiect, an extension of the member 10. This magnet is counterweighted at 13 and a stop 14. is provided to limit the upward movement of the magnet. The magnet is mounted on a copper plate 15.

The coins introduced through the receiving opening 8 roll along this sorting way past an elongated discharge opening 16 which is of such size that undersized coins will fall through the opening. Full-sized coins overlap the u per edge of the opening and pass along to rop from the end of the magnet to facilitate the discharge of the undersized coins. A portion of the wall 17 between the receiving opening and this discharge or sorting opening is inclined outwardly, and to further insure such discharge a coin tilting strip 18 is arranged on the inner side of the inner wall of the chute as shown in Fig. 5 so that the coins roll along in the sortin way in an inclined position and fall throng the o ening. Full-sized coins, as stated, drop rom the end of the magnet 11.

In the event steel slugs or the like, subject to the action of the magnet, are introduced, they are deflected from the path of the re- 95 tained coins, the pull of the magnet, however, not being suificient to permanently hold the slugs or rejected coins thereto. This tilting of the magnet substantially increases the de fleeting action of the magnet, insuring that the slugs will not strike the rebound block in the same position as the retained coins.

As the coins drop from the magnet they,

are engaged by a tilting member 19 formed on the front wall of the chute so that the coins fall in an inclined position shown in Fig. 6, which insures their striking the rebound block 20 in an effective manner. This rebound block is preferably a piece of steel, the front wall being provided with a pocket 21 to receive the same, thereby permitting the use of a block substantially thicker than would otherwise be possible.

The accepted or retained coins strike the block substantially as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3 and rebound therefrom into the retained coin passa e 22 formed in the embodiment illustrated by means of a vertical rib 23 on the inner side of the front wall.

A downwardly inclined rib 24 overhangs this passage 22 and the passage directs the coin to the mechanism controlled.

The coins deflected by the magnet strike further down on the block than the undefiected coins, thereby causing them to take a somewhat different course from the path of the retained coins, as indicated, and fall into the passage 25 from which they pass through an opening 26 into a receptacle 27 provided on the outside of the casing.

In the structure of the accompanying drawing the parts are arranged so that nickels will rebound substantially in the path indicated. The rejected coins or slugs do not take this path, but fall into the rejected coin passage. Further, coins formed of other metals or alloys than nickels, for instance, steel slugs, are deflected by the magnet and do not rebound in the same path as the nickels.

In the embodiment illustrated small-sized coins are returned to the main chute 6 through the opening 28, a chute 29 being arranged to embrace these openings 16 and 28 so that coins falling through the opening 16 are returned to the main chute and discharged therefrom into the pockets 27.

To prevent retaining the coins when the merchandise is exhausted, I provide a stop 30 pivoted at 31 to swing through an opening 32 in the inner wall of the chute and projecting into the path of the retained coins, the merchandise acting to hold this stop or deflector in retracted position. When the merchandise is exhausted the stops swin ing into the path of the rebounding coins de ects them from their course so that they drop into the rejected coin passage.

WVith this arrangement of parts the mechanism rejects not only undersized coins but slugs, checks and the like. For instance, in case of a ten-cent piece being introduced into a machine designed to be operated by fivecent pieces, the coin will pass through the openings 16 and be returned to the main chute through the opening 28 and discharged into the pocket 27.

I have illustrated and described In improvements in an embodiment which have ound highly satisfactory. I have not attempted to illustrate and describe certain embodiments and adaptations which are possible as I believe this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to which my invention relates toiembody or adapt the same as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of an outer wall, an inner wall coacting therewith to provide a relatively wide and thin chute, the outer wall being provided with a coin receiving opening, a transverse rib on said outer wall constituting a way bottom member, a counterbalanced magnet pivotally mounted at the end of said way bottom member and constituting an extension thereof and acting to deflect rejected coins from the path of the retained coins, said outer wall having an inwardly and downwardly inclined portion at the rear end of said magnet acting to cause a coin dropping from said magnet to assume an inwardly tilted position, a vertical rib on said outer wall providing a retained coin passage and a rejected coin passage at the lower end of the main chute, said outer wall also having a transversely disposed inclined rib spaced from said vertical rib and constituting a guard for the retained coin passage, a rebound block on the rejected coin passage side of said vertical rib positioned so that the coins falling from said magnet rebound therefrom, the retained'coins falling from said magnet rebounding therefrom into said retained coin passage while coins deflected by said magnet rebound into the rejected coin passage, and a closed guide chute on the outer side of said outer wall returning the coins discharged from said sorting opening into said chute and opening thereto so that such coins fall into the rejected coin passage.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of an outer wall, an. inner wall coacting therewith to provide a relatively wide and thin chute, the outer wall being provided with a coin receiving opening, a transverse ri-b on said outer wall constituting a way bottom member positioned below said opening, a magnet disposed at the end of said way bottom member and constituting an extension thereof and acting to deflect rejected coins from the path of-the retained coins, said outer wall having an inwardly and downwardly inclined portion at the rear end of said magnet acting to cause a coin dropping from said magnet to assume an inwardly tilted position, a vertical rib on said moaaee outer wall providing a retained coin passage and a rejected coin passage at-the lower end.

of the main chute, said outer wall also having a transversely disposed inclined rib spaced from said vertical rib and constituting a guard for the retained coin passage, a rebound block on the rejected coin passage side of said vertical rib ositioned so that the coins falling from sai ma net rebound therefrom, the retained coins alling from said magnet rebounding therefrom into said retained coin passage while coins deflected by said magnet rebound into the rejected coin passage, and a merchandise controlled deector projecting when in operative position into the path of the coins rebounding from said block into said retained coin passage and deflecting the coins into the rejected coin passage.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of an outer wall, an inner wall coacting therewith to provide a relatively wide and thin chute having a retained coin passage and a rejected coin discharge passage at the bottom, the outer wall being provided with a coin receiving opening, -a way bottom member positioned below said coin receiving opening, a counterbalanced magnet pivotally mounted at the end of said way bottom member and constituting an extension thereof and acting to deflect rejected coins from the path of the retained coins, said outer wall having an inwardly and downwardly inclined portion at the rear end of said magnet acting to cause a coin dropping from said magnet to assume an 1nwardly tilted position, and a rebound block positioned so that the coins falling from said magnet rebound therefrom, the retained coins falling from said magnet rebounding therefrom into said retained coin passage while coins deflected by said magnet fall into the rejected coin passage.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of an outer wall, an inner wall coacting therewith to provide a relatively wide and thin chute having a retained coin passage and a rejected coin discharge passage at the bottom, a way bottom member between said walls a magnet mounted at the end of said way ottom member and constituting an extension thereof and acting to deflect rejected coins from the path of the retained coins, said outer wall having an inwardly and downwardly inclined portion at the rear end of said magnet acting to cause a retained coin dropping from said magnet to assume an inwardly tilted position, a rebound block positioned so that the coins falling from said magnet rebound therefrom, the retained coins falling from said magnet rebounding therefrom into said retained coin passage while coins deflected by said magnet fall into the rejected coin passage, and a merchandise controlled deflector projectin when in operative position into the path 0 the coins rebounding from said block into said retained coin passage and deflecting the coins into the rejected coin passage.

5. In an apparatus of the class described,

the combinationof an outer wall, an inner wall coactingtherewith to provide a relatively wide and thin chute having a retained coin passage and a rejected coin discharge passage at the bottom, the outer wall being provi ed with a coin receiving opening, a way bottom member ositioned below said opening, a counterba anced magnet pivotally mounted at the end of said way bottom member and constituting an extension thereof and actin to deflect full size-d rejected coins from the path of the retained coins, and a rebound block positioned so that the coins fallin from said magnet rebound therefrom, t e retained coins falling from said 'magnet rebounding therefrom into said retained coin passage while coins deflected by said magnet fall into the rejected coin passage.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of an outer wall, an inner wall coacting therewith to provide a relatively wide and thin chute having a retained coin passage and a rejected coin discharge passage at the bottom, the outer wall being provided with a coin receiving opening, a way bottom member positioned below said opening, a counterbalanced magnet pivotally mounted at the end of said way bottom member and constituting an extension thereof and acting to deflect full-sized rejected coins from the path of the retained coins, a re bound block positioned so that the coins falling from said magnet rebound therefrom, the retained coins falling from said magnet rebounding therefrom into said retained coin passage while coins deflected by,said magnet fall into the rejected coin passage, and a merchandise controlled deflector projecting when in operative position into the path of the coins rebounding from said block into said retained coin passage and deflecting the coins into the rejected coin passage.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a relatively wide'thin chute provided with a coin receiving opening, a way below said coin receiving opening, a magnet opera-tively associated with the discharge end of said way and acting to deflect re ected coins from the normal path of reta1ned coins, means being provided at the discharge endof said way to cause the coins to assume a tilted osition in falling therefrom, a rebound bloc ositioned so-that the coins falling from sai way rebound therefrom, retained and rejected coin passages operatively associated with said block so that the retained coins rebound from the block to the retained coin passage and the rejected coins rebound therefrom to the rejected coin passage, and a merchandise controlled deflector lying when in operative position in the path of the retained coins rebounding from said block.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a relatively wide thin chute rovided with a coin receiving opening, a way disposed below said coin receiving opening, a magnet operatively associated with the discharge end of said way and acting to deflect full-sized rejected coins from the normal path of retained coins, means being provided at the discharge end of said way to cause the coins to assume a tilted osition in falling therefrom, a rebound bloc]? positioned so that the coins falling from said way rebound therefrom, and retained and rejected coin passages operatively associated with said block so that the retained coins rebound from the block to the retained coin passage and the rejected coins rebound therefrom to the rejected coin passage.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a relatively Wide thin chute provided with a coin receiving opening, a waydisposed below said opening, a magnet operatively associated with the discharge end of' said way and acting to deflect full-sized rejected coins from the normal path of retained coins, a rebound block positioned so that the coins falling from said way rebound therefrom, retained and rejected coin passages operatively associated with said block so that the retained coins rebound from the block to the retained coin passage and the rejected coins rebound therefrom to the rejected coin passage, and a merchandise controlled deflector lying when in operative position in the path of the retained coins rebounding from said block.

10. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a relatively wide thin chute provided with a coin way, a magnet operatively associated with said coin Way and acting to deflect rejected coins from the normal path of retained coins, means being provided at the discharge end of said way to cause the coins to assume a tilted position in falling therefrom, an inclined rebound block positioned so that the coins falling from said way rebound therefrom, retained and rejected coin passages operatively associated with said block so that the retained coins rebound from the block to the retained coin passage and the rejected coins rebound therefrom to the rejected coin passage, and a merchandise controlled deflector lying when in operative position in the path of the retained coins rebounding from said acting to deflect rejected coins from the normal path of retained coins, means being provided at the discharge end of said way to cause the coins to assume a tilted position in falling therefrom, an inclined rebound block positioned so that the coinsfalling from said way rebound therefrom, and retained and rejected coin passages operatively associated with said block so that the retained coins rebound from the block to the retained coin passage and the rejected coins rebound therefrom to the rejected coin passage.

12. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a coin chute, a magnet operatively associated with said chute to deflect the fall of coins acted upon by the magnet, an inclined rebound block for coins falling from said magnet, and means for causin the coins to assume a tilted position while falling.

13. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a vertical chute provided with a coin way, a magnet operatively associated with said coin way and acting to deflect rejected coins from the normal path'of retained coins, an inclined rebound block positioned so that coins falling from said way rebound therefrom, retained and rejected coin passages operatively associated with said block so that the retained coins rebound from the block to the retained coin passage and the rejected coins rebound therefrom to the rejected coin passage, and a merchandise control deflector lying when in operative position in the path of the retained coins rebounding from said block.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set by hand.

WALTER S. RUNNELS.

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